Experimental study of a novel thermotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma using a magnesium ferrite complex powder that produces heat under a magnetic field.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

The anti-cancerous effect on hepatocellular carcinoma of a newly established form of thermotherapy, which uses an implant heating system, was evaluated. As a new material for application in hyperthermia, the authors developed a powder type Mg-ferrite complex that produces heat under a relatively low-power magnetic field.

METHODOLOGY:

This material suspended in Lipiodol was injected into tumors on the backs of mice that consisted of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Hyperthermia was performed by directing a magnetic charge on tumor-bearing mice that contained the Mg-ferrite complex. The temperature of the tumor was kept at 42-43 degrees C, while the magnetic field power ranged from 50 to 80G.

RESULTS:

A 10-min hyperthermia treatment was insufficiently effective against tumor growth. Systemic injection of doxorubicin (ADM) before hyperthermia appeared to enhance the anti-cancerous effect, but the difference was little and did not reach a statistically significant level (repeated measure analysis of variance). The anticancerous effect of hyperthermia for 15 minutes, in contrast, was marked. The nodules had almost completely disappeared by the end of the experiment.

CONCLUSIONS:

In conclusion, it is suggested that hyperthermotherapy using this newly developed Mg-ferrite complex might become an option for low-invasive therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in humans.

• Authors: Akinori Muraoka, Shin Takeda, Masaaki Matsui, Toshiaki Shimizu, Iwai Tohnai, Seiji Akiyama, Akimasa Nakao
• Journal: Hepato-gastroenterology (Hepatogastroenterology) 2004 Nov-Dec Vol. 51 Issue 60 Pg. 1662-6 ISSN: 0172-6390 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 15532799 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Ferric Compounds
• Magnesium Compounds
• magnesium ferrite

Topics

• Animals
• Biopsy, Needle
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (mortality, pathology, therapy)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Electromagnetic Fields
• Ferric Compounds (pharmacology)
• Hyperthermia, Induced (methods)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Liver Neoplasms, Experimental (mortality, pathology, therapy)
• Magnesium Compounds (pharmacology)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Random Allocation
• Risk Factors
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Survival Rate